Signs Of Gasoline Remain At Wells

April 10, 1985|By Stephen Wissink, Staff Writer

HOLLYWOOD — Remnants of a 1982 gasoline spill from an Exxon service station have been found around one of the city`s 25 water wells, according to preliminary test results given Tuesday to Utilities Director Taylor ``Bud`` Calhoun.

However, tap water sold to the city`s 33,000 customers is not polluted, Calhoun said, and the city`s water treatment plant removes petroleum byproducts from water supplies.

``The test results confirm the presence of petroleum products in close proximity to the city`s wellfield,`` Calhoun said. ``However, the location of (the spill) and possible movement of it are away from the city`s wells, rather than toward them,`` Calhoun said.

An in-depth report showing how much gasoline is near the city`s water wells and recommendations on how to clean it up will be forthcoming in the next four weeks, he said.

A Houston firm hired by Exxon Co. USA has been testing since Februrary for groundwater contamination at the city`s water-treatment plant at 3341 Hollywood Blvd.

The plant is across the street from Dyer`s Exxon Station, 3501 Hollywood Blvd. In 1982, up to 25,000 gallons of gasoline leaked from the station`s storage tanks, Exxon officials have said.

Environmental engineers from HRA and Associates of Houston began testing at the water-treatment plant after city workers last June discovered small traces of benzene in water well No. 10.

Calhoun immediately closed the well, and three others nearby, and began negotiations with Exxon to determine whether the gasoline spill had crept onto city property.

One of the components of gasoline, benzene, is known to cause cancer in humans. Calhoun said the four wells will remain closed until the gasoline spill is cleaned up.

Calhoun revealed the test results after a meeting of state and federal environmental officials in Hollywood sponsored by U.S. Rep. Larry Smith, D- Hollywood.

During the meeting, Kathleen Abrams, a member of the South Florida Water Management District Board, criticized Broward County`s water-protection laws.

Abrams, also associate director of the Joint Center for Environmental and Urban Problems at Florida Atlantic University, said the county`s wellfield protection ordinance still allows industrial operations to be built near water supplies near Sunrise and along Interstate 75.